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Volume 15 ended with Mizusawa Koukou winning spectacularily in the team championship nationals in a really intense fight with Fujisaki Koukou. I was particularily overjoyed when Taichi, who is still Class B (due to a strock of really bad luck earlier in the manga; if you remember, in the earlier tournament with advancement to Class A at stake, when they both were down to one card, he lost to Nikuman-kun purely due to his bad luck - Nishida's card was drawn to be read), triumphed over the Arata look-alike - the ero captain of Fujisaki team, by the name Emuro Ryouga, who is Class A. As you might know, Taichi himself chose Emura, the strongest on Fujisaki team, to be his opponent, unexpectedly to his team, but not to us, because we saw his thought process and know he did it because Emura looks a lot like Arata, and Taichi hoped to change by overcoming himself and his opponent in this match. He succeeded, for once, quite splendidly, too, losing but then closing the 5 card gap with his clever strategy. Emura's comment (in his thoughts) after the end of the match is also very appreciated, "I've made a grave mistake back then, when I labelled him as a guy who was content with simply drifting about unassumingly in Class B. In reality, he's a guy who's determined to climb to the top." And the moments with Harada-sensei popping first in Chihaya's, then Taichi's mind were hilarious. 'Dete konakute ii n desu, Harada-sensei' 'Nanyuuu?!'

Well, anyway, the whole Mizusawa team come out to the hall, where they see Arata waiting for them.

Chihaya: Did you see...? Did you watch us...?
Well, as we know, Arata didn't exactly watch the match... but heard the last part of it from the hall. He doesn't say that, though.
Chihaya (practically crying): My team has become the best in Japan! I've become the best in Japan faster than becoming Queen. And it was possible only due to my team, because everybody has been there for me! That's why, don't ever say you have no interest in the team competition...
Arata (remembering their days as a team): Yeah... I won't...

What is her plea all about? Earlier she called Arata, telling him about them being in the nationals as a team and that he should have found teammates for himself. After a little pause, he answered he had no interest in the team competition, only in the individual tournament (that's volume 11, chapter 63, if you want to check it).

Chapter 84.
The awards ceremony is held.

After the awards ceremony is over, Taichi is left alone and is about to leave Oumi jinja when Arata appears before him. Apparently, he gives Taichi a specialty of Fukui prefecture Sake Manjuu (it's sweets of sorts, despite the kanji for sake being in it...) as omiyage (a little present). The two of them talk on their way back. Arata is being uncharacteristically talkative and emotional in his speech. He states, "Team... Taichi, to me, there can only be one team - with you and Chihaya." And then he unwittingly drops a bomb on Taichi by saying, "I'm thinking about going to one of universities in Tokyo. I'll win tomorrow's individual tournament and go to Tokyo." And here we have the answer to what he asked of his mom earlier in the manga (vol.10, ch.56, his mysterious words, "Mom, there'll something I'd like to ask of you if I win the high school tournament..."). It's been stated previously that the winner and the runner-up of the high school tournament get recommendation to a university, so that's what Arata aims for, apparently. After hearing Arata's statement, Taichi thinks, "I know that Chihaya hopes to team up with Arata again some time... but I don't. To me, he's a rival."

Since I disagree with Undertaker and some other people, here's my alternative translation.

Spoiler for dream challenge:

I don't see problem in translation, in fact that comment might lean more toward Karuta/competitive side than romantic and I would probably use the same word as you.

Just wondering, what did you think my take is?

As for as my romance take:

Spoiler for Romance:

I already gave up on who Chihaya would end up with. As even at Ch89, her feeling is still not suggesting either way. If anything, I think both Taichi and Arata are in equal footing and maybe Taichi is having a step ahead of Arata.

But seriously, ever since V12. I am more in the camp of potential Arata x Shinobu. Especially with the newset chapters, that pair just looks MUCH more interesting.

Shinobu has to fix her whole fashion sense first. Wearing stuff like that around the house might be ok, but never out in public all the time. Maybe if Chihaya and her become somewhat friends she can help her with that, because she needs it...

I don't see problem in translation, in fact that comment might lean more toward Karuta/competitive side than romantic and I would probably use the same word as you.

Just wondering, what did you think my take is?

I think you would confirm it's romance after all.
I would say yes and no. Chihaya's feeling toward Arata is as pure as it was in their childhood. It's the yearning. Arata tells her to have her own dream, but she ends up sharing same dream with Arata. Her injured hand showing next to Arata's hand can be the comparison of skill. Or, it could be she tried to stop him for more time together. It's always brief whenever they meet each other. My take is it's still at the stage of childhood friendship.

Anyway, there is also spoiler on Ch. 90 from the Chinese forum, should be legit considering he is the one that always do the spoiler before the raw even come out.

Slight corrections (and some comments) on this based on reviews by a couple of Japanese blogs...

Quote:

Apparently..

Spoiler for Ch 90 Spoiler from Chinese sites:

Taichi is dragging Chihaya to see the match but Chihaya somehow hesitated in front of the door and when they finally made up the mind they where told that there is no room. But the hot female teacher saw them and takes them inside with her.

Arata is more then holding his own against Shinobu taking a 5 to 11 advantage and is in control of the match. It seems Arata's mind game continue to work well against Shinobu. Chihaya also notice something is different about Shinobu but don't know why. Shinobu then make up her mind to got back taking every cards that is left, and manages to take two cards - one on Arata's side and one on her own - but Arata still manages to take the next card* from Shinobu's side of the field even though she was the first to react. (I assuming the technigue Arata use here is the same that he used against Tsuboguchi from Chihaya and Taichi's club in that last card where Tsuboguchi mentioned that he was much quicker to respond but Arata neverthless caught up to him.)

According to Nishida's analysis, it's not so much a technique as Arata's greatest weapon - his movement/acceleration speed. Even though Shinobu reacted earlier than Arata did, he was still able to get to that next card (*) first.

The card also flew toward Chihaya and Taichi and as Arata heading toward them to pick up the card he gave them his usual smile and both were shock at how carefree and relax he looked....

Again according to Nishida, this is actually the scariest part about Arata - how he's so calm in the middle of such a huge match. Btw, according to one of the two bloggers, this card flew straight towards Chihaya's face, but she didn't even react - Taichi was able to block it with the back of his hand...

Now, if we go back to what Hiroshi (Taichi and Chihaya's sempai from the Shiranami society) said about how Suou-Meijin wouldn't be bothered by Arata, could it be because he has both that peerless hearing (28 cards that he can take on the first sound) AND excellent movement speed...?

If this spoiler is true, which I pretty sure is it. It seems that Arata is winning this match in Ch. 91 and he will head back to Tokyo at least for the college and once again Shinobu's winless streak against Arata continues. 4 to 11 is a pretty big gap to make up, and unless the mangaka is planning something outlandish, it's tough to think anyone would give up a 7 card lead.

(so the gap is actually 4-9, five cards in Arata's favour - still a pretty big gap to make up at this stage in the game, though arguably possible.)

But from 89 and the spoiler and IMO, I don't think Shinbu is that weak compare to Arata. The match should be much closer than this, 7-card would be pretty comfortable win and even constitute as a borderline rout.

I think this is just a bad match-up for Shinobu. Arata simply knows her too well and knows how to push her button and disrupt her routine. He was in completely control psychologically and nothing good will happen when the both are equally talented.

You're right - Arata is also playing a psychological game with Shinobu. Shinobu typically plays a defensive game, and the analysis by one of the two bloggers I read makes me think that he's working to disrupt her way of playing by using the cards that are passed between them. Basically, he's led her into playing an attacking game, and at the same time, getting past her defenses.

__________________

You must free yourself from that illusion,
from the illusion that a story must have a beginning and an end.

"No, you are not entitled to your opinion... You are only entitled to what you can argue for.”
- Patrick Stokes

How bright and clear the moonlight through the rifts in the clouds trailing with an autumn wind is!

NB: based on the Japanese commentary that I can find, the second translation might have a misinterpretation, taking "kage" (usually meaning "shadow") as "darkness". The Japanese notes here imply that "kage" here means "light".

=========================================

Hm...to me, it's greatest significance seems to be about tactics. One of the two cards that Shinobu took in this chapter was #1 "aki no", after which "aki ka" became a 2-syllable card. You'd think it's something Shinobu would have gotten to first because it was on her side.

Though if you can find something interesting...yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

#aki no, from the 2nd translation linked above

Quote:

OUT in the fields this autumn day
They're busy reaping grain ;
I sought for shelter ’neath this roof,
But fear I sought in vain,—
My sleeve is wet with rain.

Let us suppose Arata decides to get back to Tokyo. Would he be able to support himself by just playing Karuta or is it just like a hobby for people?

Well, Yumin works at a bank. If a Queen-level player can't make a living just playing, I doubt anyone can. Teaching, however ... I presume guys like Harada charge money for lessons and use of facilities, though it's unclear whether they do it full time or just charge enough to cover expenses while holding down a day job.

This is more of hobby thing. Harada himself is a doctor with his own family clinic. It's like other more culture related competitions, the reword money isn't that much (at least not enough for low and mid tier player to live off it).

It's like boxing, unless you are Champion level boxer, you really won't be able to live off the prize money.

In Arata's case though, his tuition would at least be waived so he'll only need to worry about living expense which shouldn't to too big of an issue with some part-time.

Chihayafuru chapter 27 is released. I was confused about what is a Long Shot card but I thought its a card which is far from the player. Correct me if I am wrong

A long shot card is one where the first 5(?) syllables are the same as another card - i.e. the players have to wait until the 6th syllable before they can take it. Arata explains this in the 2nd episode of the anime, I think it was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertaker

In Arata's case though, his tuition would at least be waived so he'll only need to worry about living expense which shouldn't to too big of an issue with some part-time.

Well...if the bahaviour of Arata's parents in the 86th chapter is anything to go by, his tuition probably won't be waived. The anime translated the term 「推薦」 incorrectly - the winner and runner up to the HS karuta competition don't get a scholarship, just a recommendation to a college/uni of their choice, provided that school offers places by recommendation - typically, it's private colleges/unis that offer them. Arata's parents are

Spoiler for chapter 86:

not at Omi Jingu to cheer him on, but rather to pray that his opponents win, because they calculate that fees for the first year Arata spends in Tokyo would cost 4,000,000 yen, which is about $50,000 US at current exchange rates.

__________________

You must free yourself from that illusion,
from the illusion that a story must have a beginning and an end.

"No, you are not entitled to your opinion... You are only entitled to what you can argue for.”
- Patrick Stokes

Good point, I somehow got 「推薦」 and scholarship confused and forgot that unlike U.S. a recommendation in Japan pretty much is a guarantee entry to school that allows them to bypass entry exams.

But the face on his parents are pretty amusing,

Spoiler for Arata's case:

Entering this tournament, I thought Arata wouldn't recover and improve his skills enough to challenge Shinobu. At best it'll be a close lost, but his parents will be so moved by their son that they forgot about the bet and lets him go to Tokyo anyway.

But it now looks like Arata would win this handily providing that Arata didn't suddenly lose focus or Shinobu suddenly powers up.